Four new science prizes have been awarded to forestry researchers and technical specialists.
The inaugural Future Forests Research Awards were presented at a function in Wellington earlier this month by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry director general Wayne McNee.
The awards have been introduced by Future Forests Research - a
partnership between industry organisations and Scion - to recognise engagement and communication with industry, international science quality and adding value to the forestry sector. Chief executive Russell Dale said the awards were a way of recognising some of the people making major contributions to the group's research and network.
Scion general forest science manager Brian Richardson described the move as very positive for the sector.
"Most forest management practices are influenced by science that has gone on behind the scenes for decades. The FFR awards are a great way to acknowledge the importance of this contribution."
Recipients of the inaugural awards were:
Enhancing sector value: Michael Watt and Carol Rolando, Scion
This duo's research has enabled the forest industry to continue weed control in newly planted forests, using chemicals not viewed favourably by international accreditation agencies. The work helps industry understand the fate of the chemicals after application and to find alternative, more environmentally benign chemical formulations. Without these chemicals, commercial plantation forestry would not be viable on many sites in New Zealand.
Science of International Quality: Mark Kimberley, Scion
Kimberley's ground-breaking has developed new techniques for modelling forest growth, with a new growth index predicting productivity of radiata pine in New Zealand that replaces a series of regional growth models and is a major step forward for the forest industry.
Communication and sector engagement: Rien Visser, University of Canterbury
Visser has contributed significantly to the FFR Harvesting theme, with work aimed at reducing the cost and improve the safety of harvesting on steep terrain. He has established an industry-wide benchmark for harvesting operations providing valuable information on harvesting productivity.
Research Participation and Uptake: Dave Lowry, Hancock Forest Management
Lowry is the technical manager of Hancock Forest Management and an industry representative on the technical steering teams of the radiata and diverse species themes of FFR and other industry research bodies. He ensures research is relevant and well targeted and reviews technical outputs from the research programmes.